Football legend Anthony Koutoufides’ simple blunder that could land him in BIG trouble as he runs to be elected Melbourne’s next mayor
AFL great and Dancing With The Stars champion Anthony Koutoufides’ dream of becoming mayor of Melbourne has suffered a major blow after he was caught breaking strict campaign rules.
Carlton legend ‘Kouta’, 51, has joined forces with convicted criminal Intaj Khan in a bid to take on the prestigious job previously held by Sally Capp.
But his prolific Instagram account may have broken strict election rules.
Rules that the Victorian Electoral Commission has clearly set out in its candidate handbook. State mayors must comply with the state’s Local Government Act 2020 when it comes to running their campaign.
Among the rules describing the do’s and don’ts of running for office, there is one that states that “all election materials must be authorized and comply with the law.”
“Election material may not be printed, published or distributed unless the name and address of the person who authorized the election material is clearly visible on the face of the material,” the regulations say.
“All election materials posted on social media… must include an authorization statement or link directly to one.”
But Koutoufides is accused of breaking the laws on his personal Instagram page, which has 45,000 followers.
By law, the former footballer must include a disclaimer on all social media sites stating his name and address.
It is information that is clearly in his name official ‘Team Kouta 2024’ page, which unlike his personal Instagram site, only has 1,675 followers.
‘Kouta’ has featured businessman Intaj Khan on his ticket. In 2018, Khan – then a councilor in Melbourne’s west – was convicted of eight charges of failing to disclose interests as required by the Local Government Act.
But Koutoufides’ personal Instagram site is littered with blatant criticism of his bid for the state Supreme Court.
The site’s opening image shows Koutoufides smiling alongside Collingwood great Peter Daicos and Carlton legend Stephen Kernahan.
“I was overwhelmed by the incredible support last Tuesday evening when around 150 people attended the Team Kouta Campaign dinner,” Koutoufides told his followers.
“A special thank you to AFL legends Stephen Kernahan and Peter Daicos for supporting my mission to once again make Melbourne the most liveable city in the world.”
Sources told Daily Mail Australia that while Koutoufides had probably made a mistake, he had reaped the rewards.
“He may have unknowingly used his personal Instagram page to ask his 45,000 followers to vote for him, not understanding that he was violating VEC election laws by not authorizing his content,” a council insider said.
“But he got an advantage over all the other candidates.”
Properly: Koutoufides’ Team Kouta Instagram page has proper authorization
The Wrong Way: On Koutoufides’ personal Instagram page, the authorization statement is omitted
Koutoufides is campaigning on his personal Instagram page without giving proper permission
The Local Government Inspectorate is responsible for enforcing the rules for municipal elections and for investigating alleged violations of the Local Government Act 2020.
Daily Mail Australia contacted the LGI on Friday but received no response.
It also received no response from Koutoufides, who corrected his personal Instagram page after being contacted.
Koutoufides has received good publicity in the run-up to the elections thanks to promises to offer workers free coffee every week and reduce public transport costs if elected.
His wingman is controversial Melbourne businessman and former councilor Intaj Khan, who will be appointed deputy if Koutoufides is successful.
In 2018, the then Wyndham councilor was convicted and fined $23,000 on a series of charges related to his failure to disclose his business interests in the city’s west end.
In January, Daily Mail Australia revealed Koutoufides had become embroiled in an ugly row with the builder of his Ivanhoe mansion, northeast of Melbourne’s CBD.
The builder, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that Koutoufides and his wife Susie – who is listed as the owner of the property – had provided no explanation for the failure to pay the final installment in October last year, with the bill then standing at $180,000 amounted to and is still growing.
Koutoufides had two stints on Dancing With The Stars, where he was crowned champion in 2006.
A dispute over Koutoufides’ Ivanhoe mansion (photo) may still end up in court
Koutoufides was a much-loved Carlton footballer in the 1990s and early 2000s
The builder – a crazy Carlton fan – accused Kouta of abusing his support for the Blues.
The claims were fiercely disputed by Koutoufides and his wife, who retained Melbourne lawyers Olivia Terziovski and Imran Fatah to argue their case.
Mr Fatah told Daily Mail Australia at the time that it was his client’s position that construction of the house was six months overdue and that independent expert inspectors had since discovered numerous defects.
It is clear that the dispute could still end up in court.
Kouta was an AFL powerhouse in the 1990s and early 2000s, playing 278 games for Carlton, including a premiership-winning season in 1995.
He then became a reality TV star with roles such as ‘Kouta the Greek God’ in the Seven Network revival of Gladiators in 2008 and twice on Dancing With The Stars, where he was crowned champion in 2006.
It is understood the breach could see Koutoufides fined thousands of dollars.
